let me tell you, those are some HUGE bulls!
it was just really cool, seeing the cowboys with their hats on, leaning over the bull cage,
helping the rider get seated on that wild thing.

clearly, everybody has a job to do......
a very important job, since this is
ONE TOUGH SPORT.
and it is definitely a sport and these are very talented athletes.

the night started with music blaring and fireworks,
as well as the letters PBR (professional Bullriders)
set on fire on the floor.
you had to see it.
the arena is dark, the giant letters are burning and the announcer starts
to introduce the bull riders.
when their name is called, they walk through the flames to line up in a semi circle.
quite spectacular.

but the MOST spectacular thing was when the announcer asked
the audience to stand for the invocation.
Prayer!
at a public sporting event in America.
imagine that.
Prayer.

and what a prayer it was.
basically, this is what it said.......
they prayed for safety for them and their families.
prayed for our soldiers, our country, the President, the Colorado shooting victims.
they thanked God for his many blessings.
they prayed for forgiveness of sins and yes, much more.
it was something else!

i noticed the cowboys, some holding their hats on their chests,
some kneeling, some on all fours.

clearly, they took this very seriously, as we all should.
and the audience was very reverent.
also quite surprising for a big arena full of excited people.

this had me so stunned and moved,
that i went home and looked up the rodeo, bull riding, and cowboys praying.
guess what.......
now i'm even MORE impressed!
these men know that what they do is very dangerous.
in interviews, they refer to the power of prayer.
they know that guts and bravery are never going to be enough.
these men rely on their faith every time they get on the back of one of those bulls.
in a world of "political correctness".........
they PRAY.

they pray over the bull rider as he sits atop the bull, they pray in the locker room
before they come out, and they pray in front of the crowd every night.

and that's not all.
their faith is so important, that there are now
"Cowboy Churches" all over the country.
wherever there is a bull riding contest, there is cowboy church.
whether they meet in the bleachers, in a barn or in a little country church,
they gather to worship and pray.

one pastor said they have simple services........
filled with country/gospel songs and a simple message to take them through the night and into the next day.
lessons to use, lessons to live.
and plenty of prayer.
we had a pretty remarkable night.
moving.....that's what it was. very moving.
so good to see prayer like that at a sporting event.

i'm not suggesting that these men are perfect.
they are no more (or less) perfect than the rest of us.
they just seem to wear their faith boldly.
i was so impressed that night and look forward to the experience again.....and again.
quite a lesson for us all:)
God Bless the American Cowboy.....
and God Bless All of you, Too!Suzanne

you have pretty flower balls hanging from the trees for summer parties!

how about a "twist" on a favorite board game?

spray on dots to make a HUGE twister game in the backyard.

have you heard of those 30 day photo challenges?

how about buying the kids a throw away camera and making a challenge for them?

then, put together a little album for show n tell in the Fall.

ideas for daily photos are as simple as;

*what you had for breakfast, lunch...

*favorite summer snack

*BFF

*summer splash

*bike photo

*family photo

*their bedroom

*favorite stuffed animal/toy

*ice cream photo

*find a bird/butterfly photo

*picture they colored/drew

*something orange/blue/pink.....

*flower

*something they found.....

anything really!

can you tell i really like this idea?

and Mom...while they do their little photo shoots,

sit back and have yourself a little

Peach Flip

~frozen peaches, lemonade and sprite in the blender

SOOOOO GOOD!

that's it for today.
except one quick reminder.........
fun little summer moments spent at home,
doing simple things like playing in the backyard, coloring or taking photos
may be the best gift you can give.
think about it.......
in a world of iphones, computers, video games and sports camps,
giving kids the chance to have quiet time, unstructured time may
sound crazy but with school around the corner,
very much needed!
i don't know it all,
far from it.
some days i think i know very little!
but i know one thing.......
i wouldn't trade lazy summer days with my girls when they were little
for all of the camps, activities and games in the world.
just hanging out is good,
which is why the focus here is time together,
HAPPY times together.
XOXOXOXSuzanne

but i will be adding touches here and there as i find it.have i written about this current obsession yet?i kinda feel like i have but..... OH WELL:).

in a nutshell,

using my white sectional as a starting point,

this would be my idea board.

complete with the happy cow:)

look at all the cool things pictured here.......
from the awesome table to the chair, armoire, FAUX cow hyde rug
to the pier 1 lamp and the amazing pillows.
and the floor.....can't get more rustic than that!

and so you know, i have been eyeing this cow at Z Gallerie for some time.

i love the colors but most of all,

i love the happy cow.

(i've always loved cows.....those big cow eyes are so sweet:)

and can you guess what this painting is called?

the

HAPPY COW!

don't you love it?

okay, don't feel bad if you think i'm crazy.

that just means you are siding with my husband in sending me to the crazy farm;)
hahahahaha

moving on to some other items i love......
this rustic turquoise bed and side table is stunning in it's way.

these dining room cabinets are so pretty!

and how gorgeous is that touch of lilac paired with the turquoise.

this necklace and bracelet set, while stunning,

is just an example of how everyday items can serve as decor inspiration.

don't you think?

hey.....trust me, i've bought things telling my husband i needed them

because they were inspiring me.

it works:)

this next thing, i am SO doing ASAP!

i have a rattan chair that was very comfortable but lately

we feel it's not so anymore.

so i've been thinking and thinking.....what kind of chair would we like?

then i remembered i have two studded, faded leather chairs downstairs!